Greenwood Neighbourhood Place is hosting a walking program for seniors funded through a grant from Alberta Health Services (AHS) Injury Prevention and Safety.
Kendra Bartholow, a physiotherapy assistant at the Sundre hospital, is hired as the facilitator for the program and walks with the group twice a week.
“The goal is just to get a collaborative walking group going, with the goal in mind of fall prevention, so for seniors and older adults,” said Bartholow, noting that it is a 10-week session that began in mid-September.
Participants Berdee DeWolf, Berta Nelson, Dorene Dick and Roberta McIntyre said it's a great program and is good for the spirit and the body. The group was excited to be walking and socializing during the most recent session on Oct. 2.
Each week features a different topic, and handouts detailing things like good footwear and proper walking form are provided to participants.
AHS donated a pedometer to each member to track their steps during each walk. Guest speakers are also scheduled for upcoming weeks. This first session will be followed by a winter session and a spring session is also planned.
“It's more motivating when you exercise with a group and it is a social thing too. So it's building the habit and making it fun,” said Bartholow, noting that there are currently seven members in the group.
There is a $5 registration fee for each session, which goes towards renting space in the winter for indoor walking.
This session's participants have been walking along Bearberry Creek and along trails by the Red Deer River.
“I think exercise is so important and it really does help with fall prevention, improving balance, even cognition too in a social atmosphere.”
Seniors are welcome to join the program at any time and are advised to walk at their own pace.
